Automatic multiple spindle center turning machine



Ebb. w, 1932. BULLARD JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6Sheets-Sheet l FBalhinf '71.

Feb. 16, 3932. E. P. BULLARD. JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1929 6She ets-She'et 2 INVENTOR. fid'wam'fflullaraf J7:

. A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. BULLARD JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

FfiullarafJr wmv A TTORNE YS.

Feb. 16, 1932. BULLARD, JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 3, 1929 6Sheets-Sheet 4 1 IN V EN TOR.

z'dwalnzzalla'raf, J

(2M QFA A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. 4 H p, BULLARD, JR 1,845,478

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE CENTER TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 5, 1929 6Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Edward Ffiullaraf BY 2% W W A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 16, 1932. E. P. BULLARD. JR I 1 845478 AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE SPINDLE,CENTER TURNING MACHINE Fild'Aug. 3, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 5mm yATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD IP. BULIJARD,JB., OF STBATFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE BULLABD COMPANY, OFBRIDGEPORT,

AUTOMATIC MULTIPLE CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 01 CONNECTICUT SPINDLECENTER TURNING MACHINE Application filed August 3, 1829- Serial No.888,354.

The present invention relates to an automatic center-turning machine ofthe multiple spindle type, and has for an object to provide a machinehaving a circular series of work spindles, and in which the work issupported vertically between upper and lower center supports, adapted tomove into relation with a circular series of tool carriers arranged forsuccessive operation upon the work.

The present exemplar embodiment of the invention is illustrated 1nconnection with a Bullard Mult-Au-Matic type of machine, wherein thecircular series of work spindles are supported upon a rotatable carrierthat is intermittently indexed, the work being conveyed from one set oftools to another. The tools for operation upon the work are arranged forvertical and horizontal traverse and feeding movements, being adaptedfor performing various machining operations and having one or more toolsin each too head, depending upon the particular work being performed.

By center-turning machine I mean a machine adapted for turningrelatively long cylindrical pieces of work when rotatably supportedbetween centers and while being operated upon by one or more cuttingtools. This includes the means herein shown comprising a revolving chuckfor holding one end of the work and a center for supporting the oppositeend of the work and also applies to other supporting means for holdingthe work between two centers and revolving it as by means of a faceplate and a dog.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved type of multiplespindle center turning machine having independent variable or adjustabledrive means for the several work spindles in combination with therespective tail stock supports and whereby each turning unit or stationmay employ a different and independent speed, best suited to theparticular cutting operation to be performed at that station.

While the invention is shown-in connection with a station type ofvertical spindle machine, the work being intermittently moved from onefixed station to the next,

obviously it may be applied to a continuous the accompanying drawings,

Contin-U-Matic, in which the work and tools move continuously about themachine while the machining operations take place.

A further ObJGCt is to provide a supporting means for the upper centersupports whereby they are indivldually adjustable to different lengthsof work, and are rigidly supported in relation to each other, andconcentric to the tool supporting column, to the end that the work willbe uniform and accurate, and torsional, vibratory and other strains willbe minimized. Another object is to provide such center turning meanswhich may be conveniently incorporated in the present types ofMult-Au-Matic and Contin- U-Matic machine tools.

A still further object is to provide a machine in which the tooloperating means are arranged in alternate relation with the worksupports.

With the above and other objects in view an embodiment of the inventionis shown in and this embodiment will be hereinafter more fully describedwith reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 shows a front elevational perspective view of aMult-Au-Matic type of turning machine having my novel center-turningmeans applied thereto;

Fig. 2 shows a sectional plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1,taken on an irregular horizontal line, in part above two of the worksupporting drive plates, in part through two of the tail stock guidesand in part just above. the remaining two of the tail stock guides;

Fig. 3 shows a central vertical sectional view taken through the machinein line with two of the work spindles, tail stocks and guides mountedupon the carriage;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the tail stock guidesand a fragmentary showing of the adjoining parts of the machine,including an offset view of the tool slides;

Fig. -5 is a sectional elevationshowing a V Fig. 9 shows a verticalsectional View through the tail stock taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the machine shown therein, and in whichthe present improvements are embodied, is of the Bullard Mult-Au-Matictype, and consists generally of a baselO, upon the central portion ofwhich is mounted a column 11, whose lower portion is substantiallyround, while the upper .por-

. tion is of a hexagonal shape. This column,

in part, serves as a central bearing around which the work carrier 12,that supports the vertical work spindles, is rotated, and furtherprovides suitable guiding surfaces upon which the several tool carryingslides are mounted, and also as a means for supporting the several feedworks, one for each tool slide, enclosed within the upper casing 13 Thework spindles 14 are each journaled in spindle bcaringsl5 and 16, thebearing 15 being disposed in an opening 17 in the carrier and having itsflanged upper end 18 bolted to the carrier. Upon each of said spindlesis mounted a gear 19 which meshes with and is driven through a slip gear19*, upon the lower endof a shaft 6 journaled in bearings of the column,by gearing in the base 10, operated by the feed works before referredto, and whereby the various work spindles may be operated at differentand independent speeds. The tool slides 20 mounted on five sides of thecentral column are arranged intermediate of and in alternate relation tothe work spindles when positioned at the work stations. These slideshave vertical movement and thetool heads 21 carrying the tools 22 haveboth vertical and horizontal movement, movement being imparted theretoby the feed works 13 carried in the casin 13 The work carrier 12 isadapted to be inter mittently indexed to bring the work spindles intosuccessive relation with the tools.

The machine includes a series of five tool carrying slides 20 foroperating in conjunction with the five work carrying spindles 14 whenpositioned adjacent to the tool carrying slides. Each of these spindles,as well as the slides, are operated through a separate set of feed works13 of which there are five arranged in the upper inclosure 13 of themachine and arranged around a large gear (1 upon the central drive shaft7) through which they are driven These feed works are alike inconstruction as are their operative connections with the work spindlesand tool carrying slides, substantially like that shown and described inmy prior Patent No. 1,285,019 and therefore but a brief description ofsaid feed worksis thought to be here necessary.

These feed works serve to rotate the spindles and move the tool carryingheads up and down horizontally, and include change gears 0 whereby thespeed of the several sets of feed works may be varied. The feed worksinclude a frame of I special construction in which is mounted a verticalshaft bearing a gear (2 that meshes with and is driven by the beforementioned large gear a. The feed works further includes gearing, such asspiral gears, worms, etc. through which driven shafts e and f areoperated, both being journaled in the feed works frame. The shaft 6extends down in the lower portion ofthe column, forming a disconnectibledrive, for operating the rotatable work spindles 14 at variable speedswhile the other shaft f serves to operate the tool slides 20 bothverticaliiy and horizontally at different and indepen ent speeds.

These tool slides are provided with suitable cutting tools that areforwardly projected in the direction of the movement of the can rier toengage the work upon the spindles. They are operatively connected to bedrawn backward out of the path of movement of the advancing workpiecesmounted on the successive spindles, at the completion of the workturning operations thus to allow a free unobstructed movement of thework from one station to another.

The several work spindles together with the work supporting means arealike in construction, so that only one will be described in detail.

The work spindle is provided at its upper end with a chuck head 23having chuck Jaws 2;} for gripping and rotating the work and a ,centralcone center 25, for engaging and centering the lower end of the work.

Upon the flange 18 of the spindle bearing there is bolted the base 26 ofthe supporting guide for the upper work centering and supporting stock.This supporting guide surrounds and covers each spindle and consists offlanged uprights 27 and 28, formed integrally with and extendingupwardly at each side of the base, and a connecting integrally formedtop portion 29 having a central openin; 30 therein. A ring 31 disposedconcentrically about the column 11 is secured by bolts 32 and dowels 33to the top portion 29 of each of the supporting guides, the forward edgeof said top portion being curved to conform to the ring and said ringbeing outwardly spaced with respect to the opening 30. The innersurfaces of the uprights are curved in concentric relation to thevertical axis of the center supports, and the upper.

center supporting stock 34, having its ends v correspondingly curved asat 35 and 36, is

engaged therein and adjustably fixed in po-, sition. For this purpose aseries of space holes 37 is provided in each of the uprights 27 and 28,through which bolts 38 are engaged and screwed into suitable threadedsockets 39 in the sides of stock 34, the stock bein thus rigidlysupported at any desired heig it above the chuck, depending upon thelength of the particular work being done.

A cylindrical bearing 40 is provided centrally of the stock 34 in axialalignment with the cone center 25, the upper part of this hearingpro'ecting above the upper surface of the stock and adapted to beengaged in the opening 30 of the guide frame. Upon the forward side ofthe stock there is formed a forwardly projecting communication with thecylindrical bearing opening through a lever opening or slot 42, and aclamping block opening or slot 43 spaced below said opening 42.

\Vithin the bearing 40 there is slidably mounted a tubular shaft 44keyed against rotation by means of a key 45 engaging a slot 46 in thebearing. A cone center bearing 47 has its shank 48 inserted and securedin the shaft 44, and through projection and retraction of the shaft, aswill presently more fully appear, the cone center is engaged and disengaged with the upper end of the work. In the upper end of the bearing40 there is engaged a screw cap 49, provided centrally with anadjustment screw '50, having a flanged washer 51 at its inner enddisposed within the passage of the shaft 44, and between this washer anda disc 52 set upon a shoulder 53 within the passage, there is provided apressure spring 54 adapted to project the shaft and retain the conebearing in engagement with'the work. A collar 55 is screwed upon thelower end of the shaft, and through abutment with the lower end of thebearing 40 limits the retracting movement of the shaft.

The means for retracting and releasing the shaft 44 consists of a lever56 pivotally mounted upon a pin 57 and having aprojecting operatinghandle 58, the inner end of this lever having an eccentric cam portion59 which engages a binding block 60 disposed in the passage 43. andwhich is adapted in the raised position 9f the lever to bear against theshaft 44 to retain it. A link 61 is pivoted to the lever 56 and hasaslot 62 in its'upper end engaged by a stud 68 provided upon a lever arm64, pivotally-mounted upon a pin 65 and having its end projectingthrough the slot 42 and rockably engaged in a notch 66 in the shaft 44.

Assuming that the shaft 44 is in its retracted or raised position asshown in. Fig. 8, the operation of releasing and projecting it is asfollows :-The lever 56 is pulled downwardly, its initial movement, whichthrough the slot connection 62 takes place independhousing portion 41 inently of the lever 64, causing the binding d block to be released fromthe shaft throu h rotation of the eccentric cam, whereupon t e spring 54projects the shaft and engages and retains the cone center bearing 47 inrelation with the upper end of the work, as indicated in Fig. 3. Theshaft and cone hearing are raised to release the work by moving thelever 56 upwardly, the lever arm 64, which is moved upwardly through thelink connection 61, lifting the shaft against the force of the spring54, and the final upward movement of the lever 56 bringing the eccentriccam 59 into binding relation with the block 60, and thereby retainingthe shaft in its raised relation.

It will be understood that the work is loaded at the loading andunloading station A at the forward side of the machine, there bein fivework stations to each of which the wor then successively moves see arrowB Fig. 2,

being finally unloaded at the loading and unloading station Where a newpiece replaces it. Obviously the present improvement may be incorporatedin continuous turning and other types and arrangements of machines.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodimentof the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be madetherein; within the spirit and s lzope thereof, as defined in theappended c aims. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In an automatic center turning machine, a baseincluding a central column, a carrier mounted on said base, to rotateconcentrically with said column, a series of rotary work spindlesmounted in the carrier, means for indexing the carrier to move thespindles from one work station to another, a frame disposed upward atopposite sides and extending over each spindle and disposed in relationthereto, a center support adjustably positioned in each of said frames,means independent of the column for tying the upper portion of saidmembers together.

2. In an automatic center turning machine, a base including a centralcolumn, a carrier rotatably mounted thereon, a circular series of rotarywork spindles mounted in the carrier, means for indexing the carrier tomove the spindles from one work station to another, a separate framemounted on the carrier over and at the sides of each spindle anddisposed in relation thereto, an independent center bearing carried byeach frame to engage the upper end of work supported upon the spindles,and a circular series of tool means supported on the column and adaptedto be engaged with work upon the spindles.

3. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a rotary carrier, arotary work spindle, a-vertically disposed frame mounted upon thecarrier and comprising a base, uprights having their upper en connectedand adapted to surround and cover the said spindle, a tail stocksupported in said frame apart uprights having their upper ends connectedand adapted to surround and cover the said spindles, a tail stocksupported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle,a center bearing carried by each of [said stocks and adapted to beengaged with the "upper end of work supported by said spindle, and toolmeans adapted to be engaged with said work.

5. In an automatic center turning machine tool, abase, a carrierrotatably mounted thereon, a circular series of spindles mounted in thecarrier, a circular series of frames mounted on the carrier one disposedin relation to each of said respective spindles, an independentlyadjustable tail stock supported in each of said frames in spacedrelation above said s indle, a center bearing carried by each of saistocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of said s indle, anda circular series of tool means a apted to be engaged with the workcarried by said spindles.

6. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a carrier rotatablymounted thereon, a circular series of spindles mounted in the carrier, acircular series of frames mounted on the carrier and each surroundingand covering a spindle, a removable stock supported in each of saidframes in spaced relation above said s indle, a center bearing carriedby each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end ofwork supported by said spindle, and a circular series of tool meansarranged in alternate relation into said spindles and adapted to beengaged with the work carried by said spindles.

7. In an automatic center turning machine, abase, a column carried bysaid base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular seriesof spindles, mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mountedon the car: rier and each surrounding and covering a spindle, a stockadjustably supported in each of said frames in spaced relation abovesaid spindle, a center bearing carried by each of said stocks andadapted to be engaged with the upper end of work supported by saidspindle, and tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engagedwith the work carried by said spindles.

s aced apart I a l 8. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, astationary column carried by said base, a carrier rotatably mounted onsaid base, a circular series of spindles, mounted in the carrier, acircular series of frames mounted on the carrier and surrounding andcovering the respective spindles, a stock removably supported in each ofsaid frames in spaced relation above said spindle, a center bearingcarried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upperend of work supported by said spindle, and tool means mounted on saidcolumn and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

9. In a center turning machine, a base, a stationary column carried bysaid base, a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular seriesof spindles, mounted in the carrier, a circular series of frames mountedon the carrier and each surrounding and covering a spindle, a stocksupported in each of said frames in spaced relation above said spindle,a center bearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to beengaged with the upper end of work supported by said spindle, and aseries of tool means mounted on said column and adapted to be engagedwith the work carried by said respective spindles, said carrier adaptedto be indexed to bring said spindles into successive relation with saidtool means.

10. In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a column carried bysaid base, a'carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular seriesof spindles, mounted in the carrier, a separate frame mounted on thecarrier and surrounding and covering each of said spindles, bearingmeansconnected to and extending between adjacent frames in outwardly spacedrelation to said column, a stock supported in each of said frames inspaced relation above said spindle, a center bearing carried by each ofsaid stocks and adapted to be engaged with the upper end of worksupported by said spindle. and tool means mounted on said column andadapted to be engaged with the work carried by said spindles.

11. In a center turning machine, a base, a column carried by said base,a carrier rotatably mounted on said base, a circular series of spindlesmounted in the carrier, a separate frame mounted on the carrier andsurrounding and covering each of said spindles, a stock supported ineach of said frames in spaced relation above said spindles, means foradjusting each of said stocks independently of the others, a centerbearing carried by each of said stocks and adapted to be engaged withthe upper end of work supported by said spindle, and tool means mountedon said column and adapted to be engaged with the work carried by saidspindles.

12. In a center turning machine, a work support, a rotary spindlecarried by said support, work chucking means carried by said spindle, acenter bearing centrally of said ucking means, a frame mounted upon saidsupport and comprising side portions and a top portion constituting awork receiving space above said chucking means, a stock supportedbetween said side portions in spaced relation above said chucking means,a center bearing carried by said stock and adapted to be engaged withthe upper end of work supported upon said spindle, and tool meansadapted-to...be engaged with said work.

l3.--In an automatic center turning machine, a base, a rotary worksupport, a rotary spindle carried by said support, work chucking meanscarried by said spindle, a center bearing centrally of said chuckingmeans, a frame mounted upon said support and comprising diametricallydisposed side portions having circumferential inner suraces and a topportion constituting a work receiving space above said chucking means, astock supported between said side portions in spaced relation above saidchucking means 2 and having circumferential side surfaces engaged' withsaid circumferential inner suraces of the frame, means for adjusting theposition of said stock, a center bearing carried by said stock andadapted to be engaged with one end of work supported upon said spindle,and tool means adapted to be engaged with said work.

14. In a center turning machine, a base having a central column, acarrier, a vertical rotary work spindle mounted in the carrier, avertically disposed frame mounted on the base over said spindle andcomprising spaced apart uprights having an integrally formed connectingtop portion, a stock su ported in 1 said frame in spaced relation a bovesaid spindle, a center bearing carried by said stock adapted to beprojected to engage the upper end of work supported upon said spindleand retracted to disengage said work, and tool means mounted on thecolumn adapted to be engaged with said work.

Si ed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fair old and State of Connecticutthis 11th day of February, A. D. 1929.

EDWARD P.- BULLARD, JR.

